Cover Chef Suzuki Yuichiro in action at Suzuki by Kengo Kuma (Photo: Suzuki by Kengo Kuma)
Chef Suzuki Yuichiro in action at Suzuki by Kengo Kuma (Photo: Suzuki by Kengo Kuma)
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The head chef of Suzuki by Kengo Kuma at the Mondrian Duxton Singapore offers his recommendations for the popular Japanese city
Shinto shrines, imperial palaces, and quaint villages—it’s no wonder Singaporeans continue to flock to Kyoto. For head chef Suzuki Yuichiro of the stylish Suzuki by Kengo Kuma at the Mondrian Duxton Singapore, he also used to call the city on the island of Honshu in Japan home. At the age of 18, he moved to Kyoto to train under Yoshihiro Murata, the head chef of three-Michelin-starred Kikunoi, steadily climbing the ranks to chef de cuisine at 24. If anyone knows where to eat around Kyoto, it’s Yuichiro, so we made sure to ask him for his recommendations to fill your stomach in this picturesque city.
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1. Kikunoi Honten
Above Dish at Kikunoi Honten (Photo: Table All)
Dish at Kikunoi Honten (Photo: Table All)
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Few chefs manage to get their start at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, but Yuichiro did at Kikunoi Honten, to which he attributes the “root of [his] life as a chef”. This restaurant is among the finest of Japanese kaiseki, from the intricately prepared dishes to the pristine seasonal ingredients, and even its fine tableware. Its hassun platter comes in a beautifully-decorated box and its cuisine is elegant, making sure this is one experience you won’t forget.
Kikunoi Honten
Address: 459 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0825, Japan
2. Daiichi
Above Exteriors of Daiichi (Photo: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide)
Exteriors of Daiichi (Photo: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide)
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This restaurant is over 300 years old, and almost everything is the same as it was three centuries ago—including its preserved heritage building and its signature dish of suppon, or soft-shell turtle. “This historic restaurant is frequented by many Japanese celebrities,” Yuichiro tells us, and it’s not hard to see why, with its soulful food and traditional interiors.
Daiichi
Address: 371 Rokuban-cho, Senbon nishi-iru, Shimochojamachi-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8351, Japan
Read more: Kyoto Calling: 12 trendy cafés to visit while exploring the Japanese city
3. Islay Mojito
Located in the Shimogyo-ku ward of Kyoto is Islay Mojito, a bar that sells—you guessed it—mojitos made with Islay whisky, which Yuichiro deems “delicious”. “The original cocktails are made with extremely rare and valuable whiskey at this bar, and owner and bartender Mr Fujisawa’s seasonal fruits and unusual ingredients are one of a kind,” he explains. “You’ll be impressed.”
Islay Mojito
Address: 298 Someshokaikan, 2/F, Ichirenshacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8152, Japan
4. Uzuraya
Yakitori is one of the best Japanese comfort foods, but it’s extra special at Uzuraya. “The restaurant serves a rare chicken called Daisen jidori,” Yuichiro says. This chicken can only be reared on the slopes of Mount Daisen in the Tottori prefecture, making it very rare indeed. But that’s not the only offering that’s rare here—Yuichiro points towards “white liver sashimi” and “tripe of local chicken” for a delicious treat.
Uzuraya
Address: 177-1, Tokiwachō, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0079, Kyoto
5. Ryoriya Stephan Pantel
Above Dish at Ryoriya Stephan Pantel (Photo: Stephan Pantel)
Dish at Ryoriya Stephan Pantel (Photo: Stephan Pantel)
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This restaurant takes extra care to showcase the “beauty” of “seasonal Kyoto vegetables”. It’s all very elegant, refined and French, brought out by the pristine quality of Japanese produce. It is located near the Kyoto Imperial Palace, so it’s ideal after an afternoon of sightseeing—making it, as Yuichiro says, “the perfect place for a date”.
Ryoriya Stephan Pantel
Address: 4-182 Marutachokudaru, Yanagi no Banbadori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-0974, Japan
About
Ethan is a dining writer with Tatler Singapore. Trained in literary arts and filmmaking, their work has previously been published in Esquire Singapore, Men's Folio, and with the Asian Film Archive and the Singapore International and Film Festival, across a wide range of interests from gastronomy to fashion and arts criticism.
Work
Ethan writes about exciting news in the F&B industry, specialising in fine dining, exclusive spirits launches, and new restaurants. They are always looking for riveting voices to bring something fresh to an already-dynamic industry.
Follow them on Instagram at @faustiangourmand.
